'No surprises' from coalition, says Abbott

Paul Osborne, AAP Senior Political Writer

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has promised a "no surprises, no excuses" government, if he becomes prime minister in two weeks' time.

Mr Abbott made the promise at the coalition's official election campaign launch in Brisbane on Sunday, to applause from a room full of Liberal and Nationals supporters, including former prime minister John Howard.

However, the launch contained a surprise, when two of Mr Abbott's daughters, Bridget and Frances, took the stage at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre to introduce their "netball dad".

"We will be a no surprises, no excuses government, because you are sick of nasty surprises and lame excuses from people that you have trusted with your future," Mr Abbott said.

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The Liberal leader unveiled two policies aimed at shoring up the youth and seniors vote: an $85 million package to support apprentices through low-interest loans and indexation for seniors health card users worth $100 million.

"From day one, it will be obvious that Australia is under new management and once more open for business," Mr Abbott said.

The coalition would put into parliament laws to abolish the carbon and mining taxes within 100 days of taking office and make at least $17 billion in "sensible savings" to balance the budget.

Labor frontbencher Mark Dreyfus said it was economically irresponsible for the coalition to promise a $5.5 billion a year parental leave scheme and $8 billion to remove the means test on the private health insurance rebate, while reducing government spending at the same time.

"He is on track now to deliver huge cuts for a generation," Mr Dreyfus said.

"He reminds me of the Incredible Hulk, masquerading as the mild-mannered everyman but instead he is actually suppressing a monster inside that can be suddenly unleashed on an unsuspecting public servant or a flight steward, or heaven help a make-up artist," she said.

Frances Abbott said her father thought netball was "just a different form of rugby" and would often yell out "Run, Forest, Run" when barracking for her team, Forest.

Nationals leader Warren Truss described Mr Abbott as the "next prime minister", while Bridget Abbott said he was the man who "may be the next prime minister".

Mr Howard, who attended but did not speak at the launch, said afterwards Mr Abbott had shown "simple sincerity".

"I believe he should and I believe he will (win)," Mr Howard said.

Labor will be hoping to get a lift from its own campaign launch in Brisbane on September 1, although the task appears monumental given the dire opinion polls.

Mr Rudd, who will campaign in Sydney on Monday, admitted past Labor governments "had got a number of things wrong".

"For example I don't think our actions on the carbon tax were right, that's why I changed it to move towards a floating price," he told ABC television on Sunday.

"To begin with, we didn't have a mandate for it."

Mr Rudd was briefed on the escalating Syrian crisis on Saturday night, after reports the United States was weighing up a possible military strike against the Assad regime.

Australia will use its presidency of the UN Security Council, which it will assume next week, to call for "full and unfettered" access for investigators to probe the possible use of chemical weapons.